Mavericks' Lively II Faces Season-Ending Foot Surgery

Dallas Mavericks center Dereck Lively II will undergo season-ending surgery on his right foot to address lingering discomfort, the team announced on December 10, 2025. The 21-year-old, a key part of the franchise's frontcourt, has played in just seven games this season and is expected to make a full recovery in time for training camp next fall.

The procedure stems from complications related to a previous stress fracture in his right ankle and a July surgery to remove bone spurs from the same foot. Lively had returned to action on November 14 after missing nine early games due to a right knee sprain, but persistent swelling and pain prompted the Mavericks to consult multiple medical experts. Sources indicated that second and third opinions confirmed the need for the operation, sidelining him for the remainder of the 2025-26 campaign.

Lively's injury history has limited his availability since entering the league as the 12th overall pick in the 2023 NBA Draft out of Duke. As a rookie, he appeared in 55 regular-season games, averaging 8.8 points, 6.9 rebounds, 1.1 assists and 1.4 blocks per game, while contributing significantly off the bench during Dallas's run to the 2024 NBA...